The Montreal Canadiens and Ottawa Senators are set to renew hostilities Saturday night in the nation’s capital, and while it’s only January, this third meeting of the season carries some real weight in the standings. With both clubs looking to shake off recent inconsistencies and build momentum, expect a spirited battle between two teams still trying to define their identities in a crowded Eastern Conference.
Senators Searching for Stability
For Ottawa, this season has been anything but smooth. You might’ve expected the early struggles to come when captain Brady Tkachuk missed time, but the real turbulence hit later. The Senators now find themselves trailing the Canadiens by 10 points in the standings, and while they’re relatively healthy on paper, the absence of their top goaltender, Linus Ullmark, has loomed large.
Ullmark stepped away on personal leave 20 days ago, a move that sparked plenty of off-ice speculation and likely disrupted the locker room rhythm. He returned to practice just yesterday, but there’s still no official word on when he’ll be back in the crease. In the meantime, Ottawa’s goaltending carousel continues.
That said, the Senators may finally be showing signs of life. They’ve won two straight, including an 8-4 offensive explosion against the Rangers and a tighter 2-1 win over the Canucks. Sure, neither of those opponents is lighting the league on fire right now, but wins are wins, and for a team trying to claw its way back into the mix, momentum matters.
Canadiens Looking to Rebound
Montreal, meanwhile, has been trending in the right direction overall, going 6-3-1 over their last 10. But they’ve stumbled a bit lately, dropping back-to-back games-first a 3-2 overtime heartbreaker to the Capitals, then a 5-3 defeat at the hands of the Sabres. This game marks the end of a three-game road swing before they return home to face Minnesota and Buffalo next week.
This will be the third of four meetings between these two rivals this season, and the first in Ottawa. The Habs took the first contest 4-3 back in November, while the Sens evened the series with a 5-2 win in December. Ottawa has had the upper hand in recent years, winning six of the last 10 head-to-head matchups.
Who’s in Net? That’s the Big Question
Neither team has confirmed their starting goalie for tonight, but Montreal’s options are now down to two after Jacob Fowler was reassigned to Laval. Samuel Montembeault is the only one of the two with experience against Ottawa, holding a 4-5-0 career record versus the Sens, with a 3.36 goals-against average and a .877 save percentage. Not exactly sparkling numbers, but he’s seen this team before.
Jakub Dobes, on the other hand, has never faced the Senators but is putting together a solid season with a 14-5-3 record. His 3.01 GAA and .888 save percentage aren’t eye-popping, but he’s been finding ways to win games-sometimes that’s all that matters.
For Ottawa, Ullmark was in net for both previous games against Montreal this season, so the Habs will be facing someone new this time around. That likely means either Leevi Merilainen, who’s never faced Montreal, or veteran James Reimer, who was coaxed out of retirement following Ullmark’s leave. Reimer hasn’t played in the NHL yet this season, but he does have a respectable track record against the Canadiens: an 8-7-4 record, 3.04 GAA, and .906 save percentage.
Key Skaters to Watch
Offensively, there are a few names to circle on both sides. For Montreal, Brendan Gallagher has historically been a thorn in Ottawa’s side, with 29 points in 50 career games.
That said, he’s been quiet against them this season. Nick Suzuki, meanwhile, has 24 points in 31 games against the Sens and has already tallied four points in the two meetings this season.
Cole Caufield is another name to watch-he’s got 16 points in 16 career games versus Ottawa, including four in the first two matchups this year.
Phillip Danault also boasts strong career numbers against the Senators (23 points in 38 games), but he wasn’t in the lineup for either of the earlier matchups this season.
The Habs could be getting some reinforcements soon. Jake Evans, Patrik Laine, and Kirby Dach all practiced Friday in regular jerseys, a good sign for potential returns.
However, there’s no official word yet on whether any of them will suit up tonight. With no morning skate scheduled, we’ll likely get clarity around 11:30 AM during media availability.
On the Ottawa side, Claude Giroux leads all active Sens in career points against Montreal with 39 in 53 games, though he’s been held off the scoresheet in both meetings this season. Drake Batherson and Brady Tkachuk have each racked up 29 points in their careers against the Canadiens-Batherson has already chipped in three points this season, while Tkachuk had two in his lone appearance. Tim Stützle isn’t far behind, with 22 points in just 25 games against Montreal, including a pair in the earlier matchups.
What’s at Stake Tonight
This game might not be a playoff decider, but it’s the kind of divisional tilt that can shape the trajectory of a season. For Montreal, it’s a chance to stop a mini slide and head home with a winning road trip. For Ottawa, it’s about building on recent momentum and proving they’re still in the fight.
Puck drops at 7:00 PM ET. You can catch the action on City TV, Sportsnet East, and TVA Sports. Francis Charron and Brandon Blandina will handle officiating duties, with Devin Berg and Brandon Grillo on the lines.
Buckle up-this rivalry rarely disappoints.